Henry Pelham

Henry Pelham (25 September 1694-6 March 1754) was the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 27 August 1743 to 6 March 1754, succeeding Spencer Compton and preceding Thomas Pelham-Holles.

Biography
Henry Pelham was born on 25 September 1694 in Laughton, Sussex, England to the powerful Pelham family of England, and he was the brother of Thomas Pelham-Holles. Pelham served in the British Army, fighting against the Jacobites in the Jacobite rising of 1715. He then entered politics, serving as Treasurer of the Chamber from 1720 to 1722 and later Secretary at War, Paymaster of the Forces, and a member of Parliament. In 1743, Pelham became Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and leader of the House of Commons, and King George II of Great Britain; Pelham and King George became close friends. In 1753, he passed the Jewish Naturalization Act in gratitude for the Jews showing loyalty to the government during the Jacobite rising of 1745, allowing Jews to join parliament. He died in office in 1754, and his brother succeeded him as Prime Minister.